Adjustable connector for sash balance



1962 w. D. NOBES 3,047,905

ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR FOR SASH BALANCE Filed Oct. 9, 1958 FIG.10

INVENTOR, WILum Dousms Noses ATTORNEY United States Patent 0."

3,047,905 ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR FOR SASH BALANCE William Douglas Nobes,Rochester, N.Y., assiguor to The Caldwell Manufacturing Company, Monroe,N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 9, 1958, Ser. No. 766,296 4Claims. (Cl. 16197) This invention relates to sash balances, and moreparticularly to an adjustable connector for a sash balance.

Heretofore, various types of balance connectors have been provided forsash balances for adjusting the tension of the balance and other typesincluded a built-in adjustment in the sash balance itself. Certaininherent limitations in the above types, however, render the devicesawkward at times. One particular disadvantage is that such adjustmentdevices, while being well adapted for increasing the tension of thebalance, are not well suited for decreasing the tension as well. That isto say, mechanically, the devices do not permit the user to maintainpositive control over the adjusting mechanism while increasing ordecreasing the tension of the balance. Other types are disadvantageousfor another reason. It has been found during the assembly of a completewindow including frame, sashes, and sash balance, that the nature of theconventional sash balances and their connecting means restricts theassembly of the complete window units to certain techniques.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide aconnecting device fora sash balance which permits the user to readilyadjust the tension of the sash balance.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sash balanceconnector which is readily detachable from the Window sash, thuspermitting assembly of portions of a window unit on separate assemblylines and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a readily adjustablesash balance connector which provides for the removal of a sash forrepair and the like.

In carrying out the objects of the invention, there is provided meansfor adjusting a sash balance comprising a bracket fastened to a Windowsash, a supporting plate detachably connected to the bracket, and havingan aperture formed therein, an adjusting member mounted in the apertureand being connected to the sash balance, a spring plate carried by thesupporting plate, a ratchet and pawl mechanism between the spring plateand the adjusting member, and means formed in the adjusting member forbeing engaged by an instrument.

Other objects and features will become apparent from the followingspecification, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of a portion of a window,

with parts cut away to illustrate one embodiment of the invention.

.FlIGURE 2 is a plan view of a portion of the invention.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the portion according to 3,6419% PatentedAug. 7, 1962 ice FIGURE 11 is a bottom plan view of the spring plateaccording to FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional View of the embodiment of the inventionaccording to FIGURE 9.

CONSTRUCTION With reference to FIGURE 1, a sash balance 11 isillustrated as being anchored at one end to a window frame 10 by meansof any means such as a screw 12.. A sash 13 is slidably disposed withinthe frame It), and may be provided with a channel portion 14 along oneor both of its sides to accommodate the sash balance 11. The channelportion 14 may be a hollowed area along the side stile of the sash 13.

The sash balance 11 may be of the general type characterized by havingan elongated spring (not shown) within a casing, which spring isanchored to the window frame 10 at one end. A slotted nut 15 or the likeis fastened to the lower end of the spring, and is free to rotate withinthe casing. A spiral actuator rod 16 is slidably disposed through thenut 15, whereupon axial movement of the rod 16 causes the nut to rotate,thus FIGURE 10 is a side view of another embodiment of the spring plate.

winding or unwinding the spring for counterbalancing the weight of thesash to which the sash balance is connected when the sash is raised orlowered in the window frame 10. It will also become apparent thatrotation of the rod 16 without axial movement thereof will causerotation of the nut 15 to wind or unwind the spring, thus increasing ordecreasing the tension applied to the spring.

A connector bracket 17, FIGURES l, 2, 3 and 4, is secured or fastened tothe sash 13 by means of any conventional screws or the like placedthrough holes 34. The bracket 17 has an extension 36 formed to receivethe sash balance adjusting device, which will be described. Notches 35are formed in the bracket 17 for proper alignment of the adjustingdevice, and a boss 37 is also formed in the extension 36 for maintainingthe adjusting device securely in position when it is detachablyconnected to the sash 13. This feature is desired, inasmuch as the sash13 is removably disposed in the window frame Ill.

The combination therefore consists of a sash balance and a removablesash 13 for a window frame 10, and means for detachably connecting thesash balance 11 to the sash 13. The means for connecting the sashbalance 11 to the sash 13 consists of a connecting bracket 17 asdescribed; a supporting plate 18 including means for detachably engagingthe plate 18 with the bracket 17; an adjusting member carried by theplate 313, and connected to the sash balance ill; a spring plate 21carried by the supporting plate 18 in position between the plate 18 andthe adjusting member; a ratchet and pawl mechanism between the springplate 21 and the adjusting member 2%; and means formed on the adjustingmember 20 for turning the member 20 by an instrument.

The supporting plate 18, FIGURES l, 5 and 6, is a rigid plate membersubstantially flat in shape, and may be disposed substantiallyhorizontally with respect to the side of the sash 13. A central aperture32 may be formed through the plate 18. A portion 19 of the plate 18 isformed at an angle to the plate 18 so as to enable the plate 18 to bedetachably connected to the bracket 17. It will become apparent that theportion or means 19 is channel-shaped so as to be slidable on theextension 36 of the bracket 17, and a detent 38 is formed in the portion19 to engage with the boss 37 on the extension 36 of bracket 17. A slot23 is formed through the plate 18, as will more fully appear.

The adjusting member, FIGURES 1, 5 and 8, is generally designated asat'20, and is rotatably mounted or carried, and thus supported, in thecentral aperture 32 of the plate 18. One end of the adjusting memberextends upwardly and is engaged with the sash balance 11. Morespecifically, a slot 25 in the end of the adjusting member 2th enablesthe member 20 to be connected to the spiral actuator rod 16 of the sashbalance 11, by placing the end of the rod 16 in the slot 25 and placingpin 36 through hole 30A in the adjusting member 26. The pin 30 may beany conventional fastening means. A hole 31A is formed through theadjusting member 24 to accommodate a pin 31 or the like above thesupporting plate 18. In this manner, pin 31 forms means for preventingthe accidental displacement of the adjusting member 20 from the positionin the aperture 32 of the supporting plate 18. A large diameter portionof the adjusting member 20 forms a shoulder below the plate 13 toprevent accidental displacement of the member 20 upwardly away from thesupporting plate 18. Means in the form of a large slot 26 or the like isformed in the lower end of the adjusting member, or the end opposite theend connected to the sash balance. The slot 26 is adapted to receivetherein any suitable instrument such as a screwdriver 27 for turning theadjusting member. At least one pawl tooth 22 is formed on the lower endof the adjusting member 2%, forming part of the ratchet and pawlmechanism interacting between the spring plate 21 and the adjustingmember 20.

The spring plate 21, FIGURES 1, and 7, may be a resilient plate formedfrom spring material such as spring steel, or other suitable materialwhich is inherently rigid and flexible. A central aperture 33 is formedthrough the spring plate 21 and there is at least one ratchet notch 24formed in the plate 21, forming part of the ratchet and pawl mechanism.Anextension 34- is formed on the spring plate 21 and is engaged with thesupporting plate 18 through the slot 23 for maintaining the ratchet andpawl mechanism in operative relationship. Thus, the spring plate 21 iscarried or supported in position between the supporting plate 18 and theadjusting member 20', below the plate 18 near one end of member 20.

The ratchet and pawl mechanism is disposed to interact between thespring plate 21 and the adjusting member 20, and may comprise at leastone pawl 22 formed on one end of the adjusting member 20, and at leastone ratchet 24 formed in the spring plate 21. The ratchet and pawlmaintains itself in operative relationship by means of the ratchet beingformed in the spring plate.

The second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 9 to12. The basic construction and combination of the frame sash balance 11,and sash 13 with the means for adjusting the tension of the sash balanceis substantially the same as the embodiment described hereinabove.

However, the bracket, FIGURES 9 and 12, is different in form. Thebracket 41 has a channel portion 42 formed therein and a detent 54formed in the channel portion 42.

The supporting plate 28, FIGURES 9 and 12, is substantially the same asthe one for the foregoing embodiment, with the exception that theportion 39 is blade-like and is adaped to detachably engage the channelportion 42 of the bracket 41 by being inserted in the channel portion42, so that the boss 53 on the portion 39 engages the detent 54 of thebracket 41.

Spring plate 4-3, FIGURES 9, 10, 11 and 12, is carried by the supportingplate 28 by means of an upper portion 48 having a channel portion 45formed thereon. The plate 43 is placed in position on the plate 28 bysliding the channel portion 45 along the edges of the plate 28 so thatthe portion 48 overlies the top surface of the supporting plate 28. Anextension 47 connects the plate 43 with the upper portion 48. Thecentral aperture 50 and ratchets 46 are substantially the same as forthe foregoing embodiment.

The adjusting member 44, FIGURES 9 and 12, is provided with the slot 25for connecting to the actuator rod 16, and is also provided with a slot55 for any suitable instrument. P'awl 51 is provided for co-action withthe ratchet 46 in the spring plate 43. Instead of pin 31 for maintainingthe adjusting member in position in the central aperture of thesupporting plate, a circumferential groove 52 is formed in the adjustingmember 44. Any suitable retaining means may be used with the groove 52.In this case, a wire or the like retaining ring 52A may be disposed ingroove 52, so that the upper portion 43 of plate 43 is prevented frombecoming accidentally displaced.

After placing the adjusting member in position in the central apertureof the supporting plate 23, and through the aperture 49' in the portion43 of plate 43, the groove 52 is in position above the plate 28 and theportion 48. The retaining ring 52A is then placed in the groove 52, thusmaintaining the adjusting member in position.

Operation The operation and assembly of the combination is substantially the same for either embodiment. Therefore, a description forthe embodiment in FIGURE 1 will serve for both embodiments.

A major feature of the invention will become apparent. In windowmanufacturing plants,'the sash brackets 17 or 41 may be assembled to thesash 13 in the sash assembly line. The connecting device and sashbalance 11 may be assembled to the frame It? by means of any screw 12 orthe like in an assembly line separate from the sash assembly line. Asthe complete sash I3 is assembled with a complete frame 10, the workmanis required only to place the removable or takeout sash I3 in the frame,and slide the supporting plate 18 into position with the bracket 17. Asfor the embodiment according to FIGURE 9, the supporting plate 28 isassembled with the bracket 41. The sash balance can then be pre-adjustedfor tension by inserting a screwdriver 27 into the slot 26 and turningthe adjusting member, for instance clockwise to increase tension. Byusing the automatic, or so-called spiral type screwdriver, the task ofthe workman is even more simplified by making one push on the handle ofthe screwdriver to apply a predetermined amount of tension on the sashbalance 11.

Following installation of the complete window in a building structure(not shown), any over-adjustment of the tension may be taken out asfollows:

The instrument 27 is inserted into the slot 26 so that the edge of theblade of the instrument engages the spring plate 21 near the centralaperture 33. Pushing the instrument inwardly to the limits of the slot26 urges the spring plate 21 inwardly away from the pawl 22 on theadjusting member, whereby the ratchet and pawl mechanism is disengaged.While maintaining the spring plate disengaged from the adjusting member,the adjusting member is turned, for instance counterclockwise, torelease the tension applied to the sash balance. Release of theinstrument from pressure against the spring plate 21 allows the springplate to return to a normal position whereby the ratchet and pawlmechanism is again engaged to retain the sash balance and the connectingdevice in the adjusted position.

In the event that it becomes necessary or desired to remove the sashfrom the frame for repair or the like, the operator merely releases thetension on the balance as described above, and then disengages thesupporting plate from the bracket. The sash is then ready to be removedfrom the frame. Following replacement of the sash in the frame, thesupporting plate is engaged with the bracket and the adjusting member isturned so as to apply tension to the balance.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, the invention is to be construed only as may fairly fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The terms removable sash and takeout sash as used herein may beinterpreted as meaning any sash which is removably installed in thewindow frame. This includes the type of sash which is removable by theuse of tools, the type which is removable after removing some structuralmember of the window combination, and the type which is rapidlyremovable without the use of tools or the like.

I claim:

1. Means for detachably connecting a sash balance having a torsionspring to a removable sash in a window frame comprising a bracketsecured to the sash, a supporting plate detachably secured to saidbracket, said supporting plate having a central aperture, a rotatableadjusting member extending through said aperture and carried by saidsupporting plate, said adjusting member having one end connected to thesash balance, a spring plate carried by said supporting plate and havinga portion underlying said supporting plate, said underlying portionhaving an aperture through which the adjusting member extends, a ratchetand pawl mechanism interacting between the spring plate and adjustingmember to lock the adjusting member against rotation in one direc tion,said adjusting member having a slot in its other end for engagement by asuitable tool to rotate the adjusting member and thereby adjust thetension of the sash balance spring.

2. Means for detachably connecting a sash balance to a removable sash asdefined in claim 1 including means whereby said spring plate may bemoved by said suitable tool to disengage said ratchet and pawl mechanismto permit rotation of the rotatable adjusting member in eitherdirection.

3. Means for detachably connecting a sash balance having a torsionspring to a removable sash in a Window frame comprising a bracketsecured to the sash, a supporting plate detachably secured to saidbracket, said supporting plate having a central aperture, a rotatableadjusting member extending through said aperture and carried by saidsupporting plate, said adjusting member having one end connected to thesash balance, a spring plate carried by said supporting plate and havinga portion underlying said supporting plate, said underlying portionhaving an aperture through which the adjusting member extends, a ratchetand pawl mechanism interacting between the spring plate and adjustingmember to lock the adjusting member against rotation in one direction,said ratchet and pawl mechanism comprising a pawl formed on saidadjusting member and a ratchet formed in said spring plate, saidadjusting member having a slot in its other end for engagement by asuitable tool to rotate the adjusting member and thereby adjust thetension of the sash balance spring.

4. Means for detachably connecting a sash balance to a removable sash asdefined in claim 3 including means whereby said spring plate may bemoved by said suitable tool to disengage said ratchet and pawl mechanismto permit rotation of the rotatable adjusting member in eitherdirection.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,622,267 Peremi Dec. 23, 1952 2,792,588 Gency May 21, 1957 2,825,089Larson et al. Mar. 4, 1958 2,826,781 Gency Mar. 18, 1958

